# Tracking and Evaluation Core

> **NIH NIH U54** · UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MED CTR · 2024 · $215,323

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY – TRACKING AND EVALUATION CORE. Systematic and continuous feedback is
central to the success of the Mississippi Center for Clinical and Translational Research, which is comprised of
five partner institutions across Mississippi. With that in mind, the purpose of the Tracking and Evaluation (T&E)
Core is to provide useful, credible and timely data on the MCCTR's implementation, effectiveness and impact so
that Core Leads and PIs can adapt ongoing programming in pursuit of program aims. During Phase I, the T&E
Core established a suite of systematic procedures for collecting and sharing data on program use, quality, and
effectiveness. These procedures were designed to allow Core Leaders to engage in data-informed decision
making. During Phase II, the T&E Core will deepen and extend this model to better enable robust, timely
assessments of program implementation–along with assessments of the MCCTR's wider impact—to support
continuous, data-driven improvement. The long-term goals of the MCCTR are to (1) increase institutional
capacity to conduct clinical and translational (C/T) research, (2) achieve growth in partner institutions' sustained,
extramural funding, and (3) improve patient care and public health in Mississippi. To evaluate the MCCTR's
progress toward these goals, the T&E Core will conduct a mixed methods evaluation consisting of four core
components: (1) a five-year panel study with faculty from across MCCTR institutions, (2) secondary data analysis
of institutional data, (3) landscape analyses to track changes in institutional infrastructure throughout the life of
the project, and (4) a synthesis of cross-core data to evaluate societal impacts. The T&E Core will also monitor
progress toward short-term goals. Evaluation tools will focus specifically on (1) growth in research capacity, (2)
community participation and engagement, and (3) increased research productivity, quality, and impact. These
data and analyses will be shared with the MCCTR Director, Steering Committee, and advisory committees to
inform their decision making, and allow them to realign MCCTR assets and efforts as needed to increase the
utilization and quality of MCCTR services and resources. This information will also be shared with NIGMS,
through the MCCTR's Annual Report. The efforts of the T&E Core will result in accountable, informed leadership
and guide the allocation of available assets to maximize the MCCTR's success in increasing the number and
diversity of C/T and community-based researchers in Mississippi, increasing multi-institutional collaboration and
overall research funding, and producing research that will reduce health disparities and improve health outcomes
across Mississippi.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10927415
- **Project number:** 5U54GM115428-09
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MED CTR
- **Principal Investigator:** Sarah Mason
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $215,323
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-08-18 → 2026-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10927415

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10927415, Tracking and Evaluation Core (5U54GM115428-09). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10927415. Licensed CC0.

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